Shooting the Rat: Outstanding Poems and Stories by High School Writers - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1931236232 ISBN 13: 9781931236232

Publisher: Hanging Loose Press, 2003

Synopsis

Poetry. Fiction. Shooting the Rat is the third in a series of anthologies drawn from the celebrated high school section of Hanging Loose magazine, the standard for cutting-edge work by teenage writers since 1968. Shooting the Rat contains extraordinary poems and stories by 93 of the nation's most outstanding high school writers.

About this title

From Booklist:

Gr. 10-12. For more than 30 years, Hanging Loose magazine has published exceptional poetry by teens alongside adults' contributions. This third anthology of the magazine's teen work includes poems that were in editions of The Best American Poetry series. Grouped into broad thematic categories, the poems explore, among other things, family stories, experiences with literature and art, and what it's like to balance between childhood and the adult world. In the final section, "Figure It Out," the poems describe teens' wide-ranging sexual experiences--from Nadja Blagojevic's sweet infatuation ("I am an expert / on the way your hair curls") to Sharon Zetter's graphic, world-weary disappointment ("He attempted / to fuck me in his clumsy / teenage boy way)." Older teens (and adults) will be inspired by these young poets' originality, talent, and willingness to look frankly at the stories around them: "Tell me more / Tell me more, I can handle it." A "where are they now" biography section closes the book. Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

From School Library Journal:

Grade 9 Up-This is the third volume of writings that first appeared in the literary magazine, Hanging Loose. All of the selections are of high quality and demonstrate a wide variety of poetic forms and themes, making this offering a valuable addition to poetry collections and a great introduction to the craft itself. The 170 pieces are divided into 5 sections with themes ranging from the writer as observer to poems and stories about family, the transition between childhood and adulthood, and awakening sexuality. Images and language will speak directly to teens, and range from coarse to eloquent. This is a book that may be used in classrooms to introduce poetry or in libraries to celebrate the writing of today's youth.
Betsy Fraser, Calgary Public Library, Canada
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Hanging Loose Press
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 1931236232
• ISBN 13: 9781931236232
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 280
• Editor: Schreiber Ron, Hershon Robert, Pawlak Mark, Lourie Dick